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PrintHarwich - Charming Villages and Picturesque Harbors
Exploring the streets, harbors and villages of Harwich today offers a glimpse of the town’s past and it’s charm for todays residents. It is easy to see why this town attracts visitors and newcomers every year with its three beautiful harbors, miles of pristine coastline along the warm Nantucket Sound waters, kettle ponds and lakes, bike paths and conservation lands. Stroll through Harwich Center and take in the beautiful architecture of the civic buildings of the past, including the Brooks Free Library, the Brooks Academy, and the old Exchange Building. Harwich Center is but one of the seven distinct villages that make up Harwich. The others include South Harwich, North Harwich, Harwich Port, East Harwich, West Harwich and Pleasant Lake. Each village has its own historical story and maintains its own character to this day.
The town of Harwich was settled in 1665 as part of the “plantation of the old-comers, or purchasers.” This land encompassed the current towns of Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans and Eastham. Gershom Hall, the first white man to reside in Harwich settled on the 36 acre parcel of land in 1668. This parcel of land which is now Harwich Center was given to John Mecoy by Indian Chief Sachemus in 1667. The town of Harwich was finally incorporated in 1694 when it was able to support a minister with tax money which was a requirement from the Massachusetts Bay Colonies for incorporation.
When Harwich was incorporated it included the area of modern day Brewster. Before the split, the area now known as Harwich was referred to as the South Parish and Brewster was referred to as the North Parish. A bitter falling out between the north and south parishes led to the separation of Harwich and the newly named town of Brewster in 1803.
Harwich, with its three harbors and 11 miles of coastline, has a long history in the maritime industry. While none of the harbors were deep enough to support whaling ships and with the collapse of the whaling industry in the late 19th century, the men of the community embraced the opportunity to fish for cod and mackerel. The fish were caught out in the Grand Banks and brought to the West Indies where they were traded for rum and molasses.
When the fishing industry went into decline, Harwich sea captains and residents looked for new ways to sustain their economy and that led to the birth of the cranberry industry. The commercialization of cranberry harvesting is credited to former Harwich Sea Captains Alvin Cahoon and his cousin, Cyrus Cahoon. The success of their enterprises led many in town and on the Cape to cultivate their own bogs and sell the harvested products to make a living.
Tourism also became a driving economic engine for Harwich. With the coming of the trains to Harwich more people were able to come and enjoy the cool breezes, warm Nantucket Sound waters and lovely kettle ponds. In 1880, the first hotel, The Sea View, was opened and began Harwich’s long history of welcoming visitors from near and far.
Whether you are looking for history, shopping, dining or a chance to sit by the sea, there is a spot in Harwich for your favorite pastime. For more information on the history of Harwich be sure to visit the Harwich Historical Society located in the Brooks Academy building.
